Update on Collingwood FC – Football Department of the AFL
The men’s football department of Collingwood Football Club would like to recommend an update to its current organizational structure.
The men’s football department of Collingwood Football Club would like to recommend an update to its current organizational structure.
As announced in December of last year, Graham Wright, the Executive General Manager of Football, is taking a well-earned six-month leave of absence after thirty years as both a player and an administrator in the elite AFL system.
Graham is scheduled to take a leave of absence beginning in late February and returning to the Club in early September.
Brendon Bolton, General Manager of Football, Coaching, and Leadership, will take over as Graham’s replacement. He will be in charge of the men’s football program and the person to contact for important AFL issues.
Along with his new responsibilities, Justin Leppitsch, Head of Football Strategy, Innovation, and List Management, will work closely with Derek Hine, the Club’s Head Recruiter, on recruiting and list management.
The management of both football programs will remain under the purview of AFLW Clare Pettyfor, General Manager of Football Operations.
Craig Kelly, CEO of Collingwood, will keep assisting the department heads in managing the football program.
“As a Club, we want to make sure that senior leaders at Collingwood have the opportunity to have a work-life balance and normalize this type of leave for our key people. We support Graham’s period of leave,” Kelly said.
“With Graham’s absence, our Club now has more opportunity for individuals to grow and acquire experience. We are happy to be able to offer Brendon Bolton, Justin Leppitsch, and Clare Pettyfor additional and ongoing opportunities.
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Collingwood affirms new organization for the football department
Ahead of the 2024 season, Collingwood has reorganized their football department in anticipation of Graham Wright’s six-month leave of absence.
The club announced in December that Wright would take a six-month leave of absence beginning in late February, with the club’s senior staff sharing his workload.
Brendon Bolton, the manager of football, coaching, and leadership, has taken on a senior position as a “point of call” for AFL matters, while Justin Leppitsch will concentrate on football and list strategy.
Clare Pettyfor, who is still an important administrator for the Magpies in both competitions, will be in charge of AFLW and football operations.
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly stated in a club statement, “We support Graham’s period of leave and as a Club we want to ensure there is opportunity for senior leaders at Collingwood to have a work-life balance and normalize this type of leave for our key people.”
“With Graham’s absence, our Club now has more opportunity for individuals to grow and acquire experience. We are happy to be able to offer Brendon Bolton, Justin Leppitsch, and Clare Pettyfor additional and ongoing opportunities.”
On Saturday, March 9 at GIANTS Stadium against GWS, Collingwood will open their premiership defense. The following Friday, they will host Sydney at the MCG.
